Reform of the Indian Calendars

Abstract

The calculations of the Indian calendars have been discussed by various writers from the chronological point of view; in this paper I deal with the main features of the Indian calendars and examine their agreement with observed facts. The Hindu theory of the precession of the equinoxes and the terms sayana and nirayana are explained. The meanings of the terms year, ayana, month, tithi and nakshatra are considered and it is shown how two kinds of years, months, etc. (tropical, sidereal) are possible but that there can be only one interpretation for ayana. The method of placing the ayanas and the months on a sidereal basis in the Indian calendars is defective and hence there is a difference of about 23 days in the calculations, which difference will increase in course of time. The equinoxes and solstices will therefore occur at varying parts of the year and there will be a corresponding acceleration of the seasonal changes. One important function of the calendar is the regulation of religious and sacrificial rites in accordance with the Shastras, and this function fails if the sidereal calendar is followed. I make a few suggestions to bring the Indian Calendars into line with actual observations.